Interchangeable-letter sign



June 24, 1930.` P. s'. VAN BLOEM. 1,766,470

INTERGHANGEABL LETTER SIGN Filed June 8, 192e 2 'sheets-sheet 41 @Emi WEEE@ ign LUEH

5., [1:1] LWN l N V E N TO R Haal :(Scu 2er Vvzloem.

35 n ATTORNEYS June 24, 1930. p, VAN BLOEM 1,766,470

INTERCHANGEABLE LETTER SIGN Filed June 8, ma@ 2 sheetsvsneet 2 .a /0 /Z f Em f im 27* l /0 30 i. 25' \.2/

INVENTOR l BY ATTORNEYS Paul Schu er Vmlem..

Patented June 24, 1930 :PAUL SCHUYLEB, VAN BLQEM, OF GREAT EECK, NEW YORK, ASSGNGE TO `VIKING PRODUCTS CORPORATIQN, GF ITEVJ YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATIN OF NEVI YGRK INTERCr'lhlG-EABLE-LETTER SIGN Application tiled June 8,

An important object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated sign ot panel form embodying improved features o construction and assembly.

Other objects oit the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation ol my improved sign;

Fig. 2 a vertical section upon a larger scale taken on the line 2 2 et Fig. l;

Fig. 3 a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 a detail vertical section showing a number of assembled sign panels;

Fig. 5 adctal vertical sectional view, upon a larger scale, of one of the panels;

Fig. 6 a detail horizontal section taken upon the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

F ig. 7 a plan view upon a smaller scale ot a panel bla-nk;

Fig. 8 a perspective view of one oi the Character-bearing plates of the sign;

Fig. 9 a detail perspective view of another iorm of plate with an attached character element;

Fig. 10 a vertical section taken Ythrough said plate and character element;

Fig. ll a perspective view ol still another form of plate and attached character element;

Fig. 12 a vertical section taken through the plate and element of Fig ll; and

Fig. 13 a vertical section upon a. reduced scale showing the` sign inverted and of slightly moditled form.

My improved sign structure includes a flat base molding l and a molding 2 in the form of an open, rectangular iframe supported by the base molding. The latter is formed with a central longitudinal groove 3 in which the lower side of the trame 2 is litted and secured in any suitable manner. Mounted within the frame 2 and closing it is an assembled structure which includes a plurality of panels l disposed edge to edge and superposed in the same verticalY plane. These panels are exactly the same size, shape and construction throughout. Each is formed ot sheet metal or other suitable maleas. seran no. esa-952.

terial and is rectangular and horizontally elongated in outline. Its end margins are bent rearward to form tlatllanges `5; its-upper marginal edge is bent rearward to 'form a tlat horizontal flange 6; and its lower marginal edge is bent rearward and then downward to form a flange 7 having a horizontal flat portion 8 of a depth as great as the upper flange 6, and a vertical downwardly extending portion 9. The flanges 6 and 7 both extend along the length of the panel, and the end flanges 5 extend entirely along the lengt-h ot' the panel ends and are disposed between the ends of the flanges 6 and 7. The tace area of each panel is formed with a plurality ot' spaced rectangular apertures l0. In the present instance there are two parallel horizontal rows ot these apertures extending along the length of the panel. This arrangement ol the apertures may, however, be varied. Extending along the side edges of each aivierture are two straight vertical flanges 'l1 formed by bending the margins otl the panel, alongthe apertures, rearwardly tor a slight depth and then inwardly toward each other. rlhe upper and lower ends of the tlangesll arebeveled oill as indicated at 12. These flanges are for the purpose of mounting sign characters in the apertures as will be describedl later in the specification. The entire panel with its various flanges 'is formed `from a. single sheet-metal blank shown in Fig. 7.

T he trame 2 in the present showing is proy iortioned to receive two ot' the panels Il. However these proportions may be varied to accommodate any desired number of panels. The frame 2 is termed, intermediate its tore and a'ltdepth, with a rib 13 which extends along the vertical sides and the top ot the trame and projects into the opening delined bv the traine. Rearwardly. ot this rib the trame is formed to provide a countersunk seat 14 with lat walls for the panels el. One ot the t vo panels is seated in the lower portion olf the trame with the flat portion 8 ot its lower flange 7 resting upon the lower member of the fra-me and the depending portion 9 overlapping the rear tace of the lrame member. The other panel is super posed upon the first one with the flat hori- Zontal portion of its lower flange 7 resting upon the upper flange 6 of the lower panel and the depending portion 9 of said flange extending down across the rear edge of the flange G, to effectually seal the joint between the flanges and prevent the escape of light between the panels. The upper flange 6 of the upper panel fits against the top wall of the frame seat le; the end flanges of the panels fit against the flat side walls of the seat; and the front margins of the panels abut the rib 13 of the frame to dispose the front faces of the panelflush. The walls of the panel seat in the frame extend slightly rearward beyond the side and top flanges 5 and 6 of the panels and smally barbs 15 are forced into the frame at the rear ecges of said flanges to hold the panels in place.

Each panel carries a light-diffusing glass panel 1G which is spaced back from the rear face of the panel, disposed parallel thereto, and substantially fills the space between the panel flanges. It is held in place by angle strips 17 which are secured to the upper and lower panel anges G and 7 in any suitable manner.

Mounted upon the back of the frame 2 are two lamp casings in the forni of sheet metal boxes 18 open at one side. One box is located bacl of each panel and the open side thereof is substantially equal in area to the panel. Around said open side the box is formed with an outturned flange 19 which abuts the rear face of the 'frame 2 and the depending portion 9 of the channel flange 7, the latter being so proportioned that said portion 9 is disposed in the plane of the rear face of the frame. Tie box flange 19 is notched at the edges as at 2O and the depending panel edges 9 are notched as at 21 for engagement with small loop-headed fastening members 22 which are screwed or driven into the frame. The casings 1S are thereby held in place. Mounted in each casing is an electric lamp 23 and the upper and lower walls of the casings are provided with insulation sleeves or eyelets 2st through which circuit wires 25 for said lamps are trained. At 'their rear edges the casings are formed with beads which contact as at 2G.

The apertures 10 of the panels l are adapted to be closed by small plates or panels 27 each formed of sheet metal, rectangular in outline and all of the same size. The vertical dimension of each plate is greater than that of the apertures l0. The upper marginal edge of the plate is bent slightly rearward and then upward to form a flange 28 and its lower marginal edge is similarly bent rearward and then downward to -form a flange 29 of less depth than the flange 28. The plates are so formed and proportioned with respect to the apertures 10 that they may be removably mounted therein to close them with the side margins of the plates overlappino` the small panel flanges 11 at the sides or the apertures and the flanges 2S and 29 of the plates underlapping the rear face of the panel at the upper and lower edges of the apertures. Each plate may be mounted through the front .face of the sion in any one of the apertures l() by first inserting its upper flange 2S through the upper end of an aperture past the upper beveled edges of the panel flanges 11, swinging the lower end of the plate rearward, and inserting the lower flange 29 of the plate downward past the lower beveled edges of the flanges 11 so that the rearwardly bent portion of the flange 29 rests upon the lower edge of the aperture. The plate is then retained in place by the panel flanges 11 and the plate flanges 28 and 29, the fla-nge 28 being proportioned to still remain in engagement with the rear face of the panel when the plate is lowered into position. Each plate when mounted in place is entirely surrounded by overlapping flanges and margins which prevent the escape of light past its edges. To remove a plate it is only required to lift it slightly to free its lower flange 29, swing it outward at the lower end through the front face of the sign, and lower it to free the upper flange 2S. Thus all of the plates are readily insertable and remova le through the front face of the sign.

All of the plates 27 are of the same size and are interchangeable in all of the apertures 10. In the form of plate occurring in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and in Fig. 8 each plate is formed with a character stencil 30 through which the light from the lamps 23 shine. This light is first diffused by the glass plate 19 which may be either white or colored. As an alternative light-diffusing or coloring means a thin sheet of transparent or translucent material 31 may be disposed against the back 'face of each sign plate to cover the stencil 30. This sheet also, may be either white or colored. It may be held in place in any suitable manner. ln the present instance it is held against the rear face of the plate by the panel flanges 11 which are bent back just-sufficiently to accommodate the superposed plate and sheet and snugly engage the latter. TWhen the sign plates are provided with the sheets 31 the glass plate 1G may be omitted, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.

In addition to the character-bearing plates 27 other plates 27 are provided for closing the apertures 10 at the spaces where no characters are required. rllhe plates 27 areI formed precisely like the plates 27 except that the character stencils are omitted, the face areas of the plates being blank and opaque. These blank plates are inter- Cir changeable with the character plates 27 in all oi the panel apertures.

ln Figs. 9 and 10 l have shown a character unit of another form. lt comprises a sheet metal plate 27 b and an attached glass character plate 32. The latter is adapted to bear against the rear face of the plate 271 and is formed with a protruding character which is designed to project out through a stencil opening 30J in the plate. A sign of this character is shown in United States Patent No. 1,311,472 issued to Van Bloem. The stencil plate 27'- is formedprecisely like the plates 27 except that it is integrally formed at its upper and lower edges with clips 33 to removably hold the glass character plate in place. These clips are in the torni ot' spring tongues stamped with the sheet metal plate and bent rearwardly and inwardly toward each other to engage the back face of the character plate. Y

ln Figs. 11 and 12 is shown still another form or' character unit. It includes a sheet metal plate 27C formed precisely like the plate 27b except that the stencil opening is replaced by a relatively large rectangular aperture 30C which takes up most of the face area. Held at the rear of the plate is a sign comprising an opaque sheet 34 formed with a character stencil opening A backing plate 36 preferably ot translucent glass is disposed against the back face of the sheet 34 to appear through the stencil opening, and a. glass plate 37 is disposed over the front tace of the sheet and bears against the rear tace of the plate 27c upon th`e margin thereof surrounding the aperture 30. The front face of' the glass plate 37 is embossed to diffuse light. Such a sign is shown in U. S. Patent No. 15648,977 issued to Weidneiz The sign is held rmly to the plate 27 by the clips 33C which engage the backing plate.

Beneath the base molding 1 is a casing 38 which forms a magazine for holding a reserve supply of the small character-bearing and closure plates. `This casing` is in the form of a sheet metal drawer which is substantially coextensive with the under face ot the base and has its upper side edges turned inward. as at 39 to engage in longitudinal guide grooves l0 in the sides oi' the inolding, so tha` the drawer may be opened by relatively sliding it longitudinally. The entire sign is adapted to be inverted as indicated in Fig. 13. lVhen this is done the small sign plates 27 and 27"L must be taken out ot' the apertures 10 and replaced right side up. The structure permits the sign plates to be mounted equally well in either lthe upright pr the inverted position of the sign frame. ln Fig. 13 is also shown a slightly different base structure.. rllhe molding 1a is made ornamental and formed with a eountersunlr channel 4:1 to accommodate the drawer 38 entirely within the molding. The drawer 38a is formed with outturned flanges which slide in guide grooves formed in the countersunk channel 4l of the molding.

My improved sign structure provides tor a wide range of variations inthe advertising matter displayed and also in the character and. appez. 'ance of the advertising matter. These variations may be readily made by the ownerof the sign to suit his taste and requirements Provided with an assembled trame and panel structure, he can easily mount and interchange the small character units inthe numerous panel apertures to present the required reading matter for his advertisement. It he needs to change the subject of his advertising he can readily'set up new lines ot reading matter upon the panels. He can use characters of different styles and also vary the color eiilects. The sign structure also has the great advantage of simplifying and tacilitating the manufacture of signs in a variety ot' sizes. The panels 4 can be manufactured in a standard size and form. Each panel is formed to assemble and interchange with all of the others of a given size. This is also true of the illuminating means including the lamp casings whichcan all be made ot the same size and forni and adapted to tit loaclr ot said panels. It, for example, a purchaser requires a sign providing six lines of lettering such a sign can be readily produced by assembling three of the standard panels" fl and threev of their companion standard lamp casings .in a frame oi' suitable siZe, the 'traine being the only element of the sign which varies lwith the ln this manner a sign of any desired size, within reasonable limits7 can be easily assembled from stock parts.

lVhilc l have shown and described several invention l do not wish to be limited strictly to the disclosure but reserve the right toA make such changes scope ot the claims.

That I claim is:

1. A display sign comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in superposed relation edge to edge in substantially the same plane; means supporting the panels in said relation to forni a sign unit; overlapping sealing tlanges formed upon said panels along their opposed edges to prevent the passage oit lightbetween the panels, each panel being` formed with a plurality of apertures in itsface; a plurality of characterbearing plates to close said apertures;-means to removably hold said character-bearing plates in position to close the apertures in the panels; and illuminating means mounted at the rear ot the panels and forming part of the sign unit to illuminate the characters.

2. A panel for a display sign comprising an elongated sheet of still material formed With parallel longitudinal edges and having as will lie Within the a plurality of apertures in its face; an integral rearwardly turned flange extending along substantially the length of' one of said longitudinal edges; an integral flange extending along substantially the length of the other of said longitudinal edges and turned rearwardly to an extent as great as that of the first flange and then outwardly; and means integrally formed upon the panel at the edges of said apertures to removably hold sign members in the apertures.

A panel for a display sign comprising an elongated sheet ot' stiftl material formed with parallel longitudinal edges and having a plurality of apertures in its face; an integral rearwardly turned flange extending along substantially the length of one of said longitudinal edges; an integral flange extending along substantially the length of the other ot' said longitudinal edges and turned rearwardly to an extent as great as that o'l' the first flange and then outwardly; and fianges integrally formed upon the panel and extending along the sides of said apertures to removably hold sign members in the apertures.

1l. A panel unit for a display sign comprising an elongated sheet of stili, opaque material formed with parallel longitudinal edges and having a plurality of apertures in its face; an integral, rearwardly turned flange extending along substantially the length of' one ot' said longitudinal edges; an integral flange extending along substantially the length of the other of said longitudinal edges and turned rearwardly to an extent as great as that of the first flange and then outwardly; means integrally formed upon the panel at the edges of said apertures to removably hold sign characters in the apertures; and a panel formed of material toadmit light carried bv said opaque panel and disposed at the baci( face thereof in register with said apertures.

A display sign comprising a plurality et' elongated interchangeable panels disposed in superposed relation edge to edge in substantially the same plane; means supporting the panels in said relation to form a sign unit; overlapping rearwardly turned sealing flanges integrally formed upon said panels and extending along their opposed edges to prevent the passage of light therebetween, each panel being 'formed with a plurality of apertures all of the same size and shape in its face; a plurality of interchangeable character-bearing plates to close said apertures; and retaining means to rcmovably hold the character-bearing plates in place.

G. A panel for a display sign comprising` an elongated sheet of' stiff material formed with parallel longitudinal edges and having a plurality ot apertures in its face; an integral rearwardly turned flange extending along substantially the length of one ot said longitudinal edges; an integral flange eX- tending along substantially the length of the other of said longitudinal edges and turned rear f'ardly to an extent as great as that of the first flange and then outwardly; and means carried by the panel to removably hold sign members in the apertures.

7. A sign unit 'for the purpose set forth, comprising a plate formed with a stencil opening defining a sign character and formed with a pair oit rearwardly offset edge margins extending respectively along the upper and lower ends of the plate; the upper margin being of greater' depth than the lower one; a sheet of material admitting the passage of light Adisposed against the rear face of the plate and closing the stencil opening; and means` carried by the plate to hold said sheet in place.

S. A sign unit for the purpose set forth, comprising a plate formed with a stencil opening defining a sign character and formed with a pair of rearwardly offset edge margins extending respectively along the upper and lower ends of the plate; the upper margin being of greater depth than the. lower one; a sheet of material admitting the passage of light disposed against the rear face of the plate and closing the stencil opening; and spring clips carried by the plate to hold said sheet in place.

9. A dii-mlay sign comprising a plurality of panels disposed in sipcrpesed relation edge to edge vwith their front vertical faces in substantially the saine vertical plane; a frame enclosing and supi'iorting the panels in the said relation to forni a sign unit; overlapping sealing flanges formed upon said panels along their opposed edges to prevent the passage of light between the panels7 each panel being formed in its face with a plus rality of apertures of identical forni and size; a plurality of identical and interchangeable charaeter-bearing plates to close said apertures; means to removably hold said character-bearing plates in position in said apertures with their front vertical faces substantially flush with the vertical 'tace of the panel; and illuminating means mounted at the rear of the Ypanels and forming part of the sign'unit to illuminate the characters.

l0. A display si gn comprising a plurality of panels ydisposed in superposed relation edge to edge with their front vertical faces in substantially the same vertical plane; a frame enclosing and sui'iporting the panels in the said relation to form a sign unit1 overlapping sealing flanges formed upon said panels along their opposed edges to prevent the passage of light between the panels7 each panel being formed in its face with a plurality of apertures of identical form and size; a plurality of identical character-bearing plates to close said apertures and inter- Changeable through the front face of the panel; means to removably hold said'charactor-bearing plates in position in said apen tures Vith their front vertical -faces substantially flush with the vertical face of the panel; a light-diflusing panel mounted in each panel back of the character-bearing pla-tes; illuminating means mounted at the rear of each panel; and a easing secured at the rear of each panel and enclosing the illuminating means.

1l. A display sign Comprising a panel formed with a rectangular face aperture; a eliaraeter-bearing plate equal in width but slightly longer than said aperture and provided with rearwardly oflset flanges extending along its upper and lower edges and adapted to engage the baal: margins of the panel along the upper and lower edges o'l 'he aperture, the body of the plate, between said flanges, being of less height than that et the aperture and the upper flange being of greater depth than the lower one te permit the removal of the plate through the front face of the panel by raising and tilt- "ig it forwardly at its lower end; vertical, rearwardly oflset flanges Carried by the panel and extending along the sides of the aperture to overlap the rea-r side margins oil the Character-bearing plate and hold said plate in the aperture with its front face substantially flush with the front face of the panel, said panel flanges and plate flanges cooperating to removably hold the plate in place and prevent the passage oil light around its edges.

12. Al display sign Comprising a panel formed with a face aperture; a characterbearing plate to close said aperture provided with rearwardly offset flanges entending along its upper and lower edges and adapted to engage the back margins of the panel along the upper and lower edges of the aperture, the body of the plate7 between said flanges, being of less height than that of the aperture and the upper flange being of greater depth than the lower one to permit the removal of the plate through the front face of the panel by raising and tilting it forwardly at its lower end; ver* tical, rearwardly ofl'setyparallel flanges earried by the panel and extending along the sides ot the aperture to overlap the rear side margins of the Character-bearing plate, said panel flanges and character plate flanges eoeperating to removably holdY the plate in place and prevent the passage of light around its edges, and also providing for 'the insertion and holding of the plate in place with its character upright and readable when the panel is inverted.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature. i

PAUL SCHUYLER VAN PiLOEli/I. 

